Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen will take a significant step toward returning to the lineup when he joins the team on the ice this week for full-scale practices.

Franzen, out since Dec. 15 with a concussion, has been cleared to practice, general manager Ken Holland said.

There is no timetable for his return but Holland didn’t rule out the possibility of Franzen playing Saturday in Los Angeles. If he’s not ready by then, he won’t play until Jan. 16 at the New York Rangers.

Franzen was scheduled to fly to Phoenix Monday or Tuesday. The Red Wings are skating in Phoenix on Tuesday and practicing in San Jose on Wednesday before playing the Sharks on Thursday.

“It’s on the horizon,” Holland said of Franzen’s return. “It’s all about conditioning now.”

“If he goes three or four days in a row, practices full-out and feels great and we call the doctor Saturday morning and tell him he has had no setbacks, no issues and wants to play I’m assuming the doctor’s going to clear him,” Holland said.

Pavel Datsyuk (lower body) and Danny DeKeyser (groin) are listed as possible for Thursday after sitting out Saturday’s 5-1 win at Dallas. It depends on how they feel the next two practices.

Holland did not have an update on Darren Helm (groin), who has missed the past two games.

Jonas Gustavsson will not dress on Thursday. His condition will be reassessed on Friday. If he’s not ready to play Saturday, Holland said he will be held out until at least Jan. 16.